Can Dogs Drink Cold Water?

You know how welcome a drink of cold water is after a particularly grueling exercise session or run, so it’s easy to imagine a dog’s craving for it following the same kind of experience. You want to make your dog feel more comfortable, but is offering them cold water the safest option? The truth is, cold water and even ice water are perfectly safe most of the time. Rather than the temperature of the water, it’s actually the speed that they drink it that’s the concern.

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Is it safe for dogs to drink cold water?

Cold and even ice water is perfectly safe for most dogs to drink. In fact, it may even be preferable to them on hot days or after exercise. Now, not all dogs are going to love cold water, it just might not be their style, but if you have one that downs more fluids when they’re cold, feel free to offer them up water that leans toward freezing.

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Benefits of cold water for dogs

Cold water is by no means more hydrating than room temperature or even warm water, but especially active dogs or those who tend to run on the warm side of normal may appreciate sipping cold water as a way to cool off more quickly.

Cold water may increase a dog’s water consumption, especially during hot weather or after exercise, but it may also up water intake at other times, especially if cold water isn’t what is normally offered. Dogs get curious when things change, and a simple drop in water temperature may have them spending more time at the water bowl. If you’re looking for a little more persuasion for a dog who’s not drinking as much water as you’d like, floating a few ice cubes in their water bowl may provide the entertainment and encouragement that you’re looking for.

If you’re thinking that dogs can take care of themselves in the hydration department, you’re right… most of the time. On any normal day, most dogs drink the amount of water that they need to to keep bodily functions functioning and to ward off dehydration. But water consumption becomes even more important during high temperatures, high humidity, and high exertion. Dogs need to drink more water during the summer to make up for fluids lost to panting, to naturally help keep them cool, and to prevent heat stroke.

If your dog isn’t upping their water intake on their own, cold water may encourage them to do so.

Potential risks of cold water for dogs

Here’s where we get into why “is it safe to give dogs cold water” is even a question. There is a long-running myth that drinking cold water can cause bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). While drinking and water can play a role, it’s not the water temperature that’s the problem, it’s the speed at which a dog drinks it.

Gulping down a bowl full of water, especially immediately after exercise or eating, can bring in a lot of excess air along with the fluid. All of this works in conjunction to overly stretch the stomach walls, causing pain and potentially cutting off blood supply to the stomach and other organs. In severe cases, the balloon-like stomach can twist on itself, creating life-threatening problems. Bloat is a veterinary emergency, so you can see why dog parents would want to avoid anything that could potentially cause it, and this is how the cold water myth took hold.

It’s not the cold water that stretches the stomach but the combination of drinking too fast and the dog’s anatomy (deep-chested dogs — like Dobermans, Great Danes, and Greyhounds — are more commonly affected).

What is the ideal water temperature for dogs to drink?

Before you get out your thermometers, know that there’s no ideal water temperature for every dog. It really depends on their preference. Some dogs are going to like cold water, others may prefer room temp. It may also depend on the weather and activity level they’re at.

Temperature aside, what you do want to pay attention to is how quickly your dog drinks their water. Warm or cold, water that’s gulped and gobbled by dogs is more likely to cause bloat than water that is leisurely lapped.

Don’t sink a bunch of money into a water fountain that heats or cools water, rather look into something that slows a dog’s drinking rate to help keep them safe. There are many types of water bowls out there that limit the amount of water a dog can get at one time with a physical barrier or automated release method. Don’t offer your dog unlimited water immediately after exercise or a meal for best results as well.

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Bottom line

• Cold water is perfectly safe and even preferable for most dogs. It can help cool them off and encourage drinking during hot temperatures or after activity.

• Drinking water too fast is one of the risk factors for bloat, a serious medical emergency. Slow your dog’s drinking rate with specialized bowls and by limiting water immediately after exercise and eating.

FAQs

Should I put ice in my dog’s bowl?

Ice cubes can be a great way to increase a dog’s water consumption by cooling water down and piquing a dog’s curiosity that may lead to more drinking. Just be sure to supervise your dog when with ice cubes as crunching down on them may be a safety concern, potentially causing choke or broken teeth.

What can happen if dogs drink cold water too fast?

Drinking cold or warm water too fast can cause a dog to swallow a lot of air along with the water. This can overly stretch the stomach walls, causing pain and potentially impeding blood flow to the stomach and abdomen. This is called bloat and is a medical emergency.

Can dogs drink water from the fridge?

The temperature of water doesn’t affect the safety of it. If dogs will drink more water when it’s offered cold, that’s great. The more water you can get into your pup the better.

Do dogs prefer to drink warm or cold water?

Water temperature is really a matter of personal opinion. Some dogs will drink more if it’s cold, others won’t want it until it’s warmed to room temperature. Personal opinions aside, a dog’s water temperature preferences may change depending on the weather and their activity level.

Why aren’t you supposed to give a dog ice water?

For a lot of years it was believed that drinking cold water led to bloat or GDV. This made dog parents wary of giving their dog cold water or ice cubes at any time. It’s actually been determined that it’s not the water temperature that is the problem, it’s the speed at which they drink water and therefore the amount of air that they take in that’s the issue.

 References

• Helm, Leonie. “Vet Reveals the Dangers of Putting Ice Cubes in Your Dog’s Water Bowl. Newsweek. 14 July 2023. https://www.newsweek.com/ice-cubes-dog-bowl-summer-1810974.

• “The Truth About Ice Water and Bloat.” Point Vincent Animal Hospital. https://www.pointvicentevet.com/services/dogs/blog/truth-about-ice-water-and-bloat.